LastPass fills users in on plans for Android O

April 10, 2017

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With Android O being released to developers and an almost certain release to the public later this year, password manager app maker LastPass has been busy at work getting their platform ready for the upgrade. One of the new features coming to Android O that the LastPass developers are looking forward to is the new set of Autofill APIs. LastPass thinks the use of these APIs will help them increase security and expand the features available through their app when used on an Android device.

With the new Autofill API, LastPass will be able to fill in much more than just usernames and passwords when accessing a secure site. LastPass will be able to start doing things like saving address information, credit card information, and likely other common fields. In their description of how this may actually function, LastPass describes a scenario with discrete chunks of information. For example, credit card info or address info will be grouped together making it easier for users to pick a specific combination with just a tap or two.

LastPass also indicates users will get a couple other benefits from Android O's switch from using accessibility features for autofill purposes to a dedicated API. First, it will be less processor-intensive helping to speed up performance and second, it will not require extra permissions that could pose a threat if exploited.

LastPass developers continue to dive into the developer edition of Android O to figure out what other new capabilities they might be able to leverage for the benefit of their customers and users.

source: LastPass

Jeff Causey Author

Raised in North Carolina, Jeff Causey is a licensed CPA in North Carolina. Jeff's past Android devices include an HTC EVO, a Samsung Note II, an LG G3, and a Motorola Moto X Pure Edition along with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet 10.1. He currently uses a Samsung Galaxy S8 and (very rarely) a Nexus 7 (2013). He is also using a Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z Play Droid supplied by his job. Jeff used to have a pair of Google Glass and a Moto 360 Sport in his stable of gadgets. Unfortunately, his kids have all drunk the Apple Kool-Aid and have i-devices. Life at home often includes demonstrations of the superiority of his Android based devices. In his free time, Jeff is active an active runner usually training for his next marathon, owns a Mazda MX-5 Miata, and plays Dungeons & Dragons. Jeff has three grown kids and a golden retriever.